Stop press 11th September - Public Health England has confirmed our community groups are exempt from the new 'rule of six' and are safe to reopen as scheduled.  
24th September - Public Health has confirmed singing is allowed as long as social distancing is adhered to.

27th August 2020 - updated 8th October

After six long months of restrictions, Alzheimer’s Support is delighted to announce that it will gradually reopen its community groups from mid-September.

The charity has carried out a thorough risk assessment and strict guidelines set by Public Health England will be followed to ensure everyone stays safe. It is working with all its venues to ensure they are Covid-19 and are moving groups to new venues where necessary. 

Sarah Marriott, head of community services, said: “We’re so pleased to restart our community groups and even though staff and volunteers will have to wear PPE, we are determined to ensure the groups will feel familiar and normal to our members. Singing will be replaced with other musical activities including listening games, musical quizzes and other stimulating and therapeutic activities. 

Fun, friendship and camaraderie is key to the groups

“There’s a real family feel to the groups and we know just how much our members and volunteers have missed them and how challenging lockdown has been for so many.

“Our online music and movement sessions proved popular beyond our expectations and they were a chance for people to keep in touch and show off their pets!

"However, nothing beats being together in person and enjoying the friendship, fun and camaraderie that the groups bring. The social element is really key to their success and members will be looking forward to catching up and talking about their lockdown experiences when they open again.”

Some groups have had to change location or may not be able to open until the new year due to logistical reasons such as the size of the venue, but the charity is working hard to ensure as many as possible are up and running again soon.

Groups open or opening in October

• Lyneham Art Group 
• Pewsey Art
• Warminster Art Group now at Lakeside Community Centre in Warminster Park
  
  
• Trowbridge Music for the Mind, now at Trowbridge Town Hall
• Seend Music for the Mind
• Lockeridge Music for the Mind
   
• Devizes Movement for the Mind
• Mildenhall (Minal) Movement for the Mind  
• Melksham (Bowerhill) Movement for the Mind
• Ludgershall Movement for the Mind
   
• East Grafton Memory Cafe
• Harnham Memory Cafe
• Westbury Memory Cafe, now on Wednesday evenings
• Chippenham cafe, now at King Alfred Hall
• Warminster Memory Cafe, now at Lakeside Community Hall
   
• Muddy Boots Kennet

Arrangements are liable to change so please call us for latest information before setting out. Anyone wishing to join should contact Alzheimer’s Support's Devizes office on 01380 739055 to register. 

For the low-down on the new procedures see our Covid-specific Risk Assessment for Community Groups

More about our Creating Connections community groups

Information about our online Music and Movement sessions